Mark Mitchell Schultz was born on September 16, 1970 and was
adopted when he was two weeks old. He
released his self-titled debut album, which included the touching song ‘He’s my
Son’, in 2000. In 2001 he put out SONG
CINEMA (Word). It was produced by Monroe
Jones and executive produced by Brad O’Donnell.
Schultz and Tony Wood co-wrote the energetic opening pop song ‘When the
Mountains Fall’. It’s one of
encouragement: `When you walk through the fire/It will not consume you/Thought
the water will rise/It won’t overtake you/Though the mountains will fall/Oh,
still I am with you/I’ve called you by name/And I will not leave you/I’m
learning to trust You/I’m learning to fly”.
‘Back in His Arms Again’ is a beautiful song addressed to a prodigal: “Though
you’ve run away/Reminded day by day/You’ve stumbled and you’ve fallen/Still He’s
calling.../I believe that He never let you go/I believe that He’s wanting you
to know/I believe that He’ll lead you ‘til you’re back in His arms again”. ‘Think of Me’ is a lovely adult contemporary
ballad about true friendship: “Think of me/I know God brought you as a
friend/Think of me/I know He’ll bring you back again/Think of me/What can I say
to show you/I’ll never give up on you/I will be waiting for you/I will be there
when you call/I will see you through it all”.
Rachael Lampa, whom I named my daughter after, performs a perfect duet
with Mark on this one!
Schultz and Regie Hamm wrote ‘I Have Been There’ which
speaks of God’s faithfulness: “An older man up on a hill/Holding flowers but he
can’t hold back the tears/Oh, he has come to say goodbye/He thinks about the
life she lived/Thinks about how hard it’s been to live without her/Sixty years
right by his side/And he cries ‘Oh Lord, I loved her ‘til the end’/Then he
heard a gentle voice say ‘You’ll see her once again’/I have been there/I know
what sorrow’s all about/Yes, I have been there/And I am standing with you now”. Next Schultz covers Mr. Mister’s 1985 classic
hit ‘Kyrie’. Kyrie Eleison means ‘Lord
have mercy on us’. It’s a terrific
pop/rock tune: “Kyrie Eleison down the road that I must travel/Kyrie Eleison through
the darkness of the night/Kyrie Eleison where I go You will follow/Kyrie
Eleison on a highway in the light”.
‘Holy One’ is one of several songs penned by Shultz alone. It’s a pretty ballad appropriate for Easter: “You
took the nails/You bore the pain/And as they hung You on the cross and mocked
You/Holy One, if you’re the Holy One let your God come and save you from the
grave.../Early morn, break of day/Came in time to find the rock You rolled
away/I found Your robe/An empty grave/And as I fell upon the ground I cried
out/Holy One, You are the Holy One/And You came and gave Your life away”. ‘Back to You’ is a pleasant pop song nature
lovers will relate to: “Sitting here on the dock as the sun is setting/Red and
gold in a purple sky/And the breeze through the trees keeps them gently rocking/Just
like the waves that are keeping time.../All around, hear the sound of creation singing/Lift
their praise up to God on high/I know You’re there, know You care/I know You
made the moment/I take a breath and I close my eyes”.
‘Faith, Hope and Love’ is an upbeat adult contemporary song
penned for graduates: “A chapter done/Turn the page/And separate roads lead
separate ways/But as we go we’re not alone/No, we’re not alone/Because faith
and hope and love/Are waiting for you when we say goodbye/Where would we be
without the faith?/Where would we be without the hope?/Where would we be
without the faith?/The one that God alone has made?” ‘The Time of my Life’ is a moving love song: “The
months went by, it was their wedding day/A church on a hill, wedding bells rang
away/She looked like a princess all dressed up in pearls/It was her proudest
day/And he stood all alone in a darkened church hallway/He got down on his
knees and he started to pray/He thanked the Lord for his family and the perfect
bride”. Last up is ‘We are Calling You’
which includes Congo language and sounds.
Here are the English lyrics addressed to Christ: “When I’m calling out
can you hear me calling Jesus?/When I’m crying out can you hear me crying
Jesus?/Holy Lamb/Great I Am/How long, how long/Until we see Jesus?/Jesus, Jesus
we are calling You (2X)”.
If you’re a fan of Wayne Watson and Michael W. Smith’s
Christian pop music, you’re going to want to pick up SONG CINEMA. The list of background vocalists is
impressive: Schultz, Tabitha Fair, Chris Rice, Lisa Bevill, Bonnie Keen, Todd
Smith and Nicol Smith. Scott Dente from
Out of the Grey is one of the guitarists.
This record makes it clear that God can relate to us in a personal
relationship with Him. He loves us and
wishes to take care of us. Schultz is
grateful for life and reaches out to God.
There are also songs here about the male-female romantic relationship
and about friendships. Not to be
forgotten is a great song about the crucifixion and resurrection. Schultz relates his stories and thoughts in a
very down to earth, everyday man manner and comes across as very likeable. I’m rating SONG CINEMA 90%. For more info visit: www.markschultzmusic.com.